I did not expect this letter to come so soon.
We had only been talking about creating a new identity for me for just a few months.
I had transitioned over five years ago. My wife was accepting and giving. I felt blessed. It actually added some adventure to a lovely yet mundane existence. Over time, like many couples we added role playing to make things interesting. I enjoyed the role of being my wife's maid as she luxuriated in our mansion and I served her in a domestic manner and made any guests she invited over feel very comfortable.
Over time being able to return to the safety of my good status made my domestic excursions seem less than real as the option to leave that role at anytime was too easy. My creative wife suggested that I should take a job outside the house and return only after extended agreed upon timeframes.
Not being able to return to my mansion was liberating. I had to rent a small studio apartment downtown in a very modest neighborhood. I got no allowance so all my food, clothes, outfits, and makeup were what I could afford on my meager earnings as a waitress. I could not afford a car so started to take public transportation.
Overtime I melted into my cherished existence. And though waitressing was hard I found it provided me with so many rewards. I loved making people happy by giving them good service. The camaraderie I felt with my sister waitresses and the cooking staff was sweet. Interacting with the customers often made me smile and I have to admit I enjoyed the men flirting with me. I often flirted back. So much fun!
One night after pulling a double shift my wife came into the dinner with her date. She looked stunning and he was handsome. They must have come from a very fancy event as they were dressed to the nines. I walked them to their booth, placed their menus in front of them, recited the specials and then poured them water and coffee before taking their orders.
I couldn't help but notice that they could not take their hands off each other. Though I confess to having some mixed feelings it made me happy that she and he were happy and that they were of a social class to clearly have the means to go to fancy events.
My wife ordered me to fetch her sugars and extra napkins and more water and asked me to go over the specials many times without ever acknowledging me as her spouse. Her date paid the bill but she made sure she would hand me my tip. When she did she also placed a note into my fingers. She told me to read it after they left and that the note would explain everything.
Jennifer, Don't bother to come home anymore. Your house is no longer yours. I own everything and you have nothing. You will now be able to live your dream fully. I know how much you wanted to explore a real downward mobility so I have made it happen. But there is no returning. No coming back. All you possess are your waitress uniforms, a few dresses and of course your cheaper makeup and jewelry. My lawyers have removed any access to your degrees or assets. You really have nothing. You are now a single woman. I have moved on and so will you. Only I will be enjoying the high life with our old and my new friends. My special friend you just meet is someone special and I intend to see where our connection takes us. But I imagine I will think of you from time to time until you are but a small sweet memory. Tonight I got to see the real you, a pretty, hardworking pleasant girl struggling to make ends meet yet happy to be a simple girl in service of her betters.
One finally thing. I want you to knw that I have done this not out of cruelty or vengeance. I see you you well and I truly know what will make you happy even if I don't truly understand or would never want it for myself. But I know this brings you a sense of self and peace. I do this out of my love for you.
Now get back to work and make those tips. You will need them more than ever.